Dear Madam, - Just to add to the letters submitted regarding DARD’s refusal to include areas Planted with Native Trees in Single Farm Payment.

Fair play to those who took the time to voice their disapproval for this clueless decision. DARD need to wake up to the fact that public opinion is fully behind farmers who are doing something worthwhile for the environment.

There is no point in the Department of Agriculture constantly releasing statements to the media and the wider public about how the environment is top priority and then denying farmers payments if they plant trees.

It is total hypocrisy.

Encouraged by the response to this issue, I would urge more people to put pen to paper and have their say on this topic. Public bodies like DARD will only change their ways if they sense that people have had enough and are fed up.

And people are certainly fed up with this crazy situation where farmers are denied their entitlements because they have planted and maintained native trees. Even though the farmers were directed to do this by the very Department who are now telling them they should lose money because of this.

I also agree with one writer who urged DARD to publicly explain who came up with this strange decision and why it ever seemed like a good idea.

Once again, thank you to all who have taken the time to read this and please air your views.

Yours faithfully, Farmer-at-the-end-of-his-Tether